National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Regional Office

Catch Weighing and Catch Monitoring for the Groundfish and Crab Fisheries of the GOA and BSAI

Inspection Request

NMFS will perform video monitoring, bin monitoring, at-sea scale, and observer sampling station inspections in Dutch Harbor, Kodiak or the Puget Sound area. We need to receive a request for an inspection at least 10 working days in advance of the requested inspection.

At-Sea Scale Inspections

Before a scale can be used to officially weigh catch at-sea it has to be inspected by a NMFS-authorized inspector. The inspector will check to make sure the scale is properly installed, all components of the scale are functioning (printer, display, software) and it can pass a performance test. The performance test consists of weighing a known quantity of test material (sand in bags) and making sure the scale being tested weighs the material accurately. In order to perform this test on a flow scale or hopper scale, the inspector we will be passing the test material across the scale in the same manner fish/crab would pass across the scale. Therefore, infeed belts must be operational before the test can be done.

79 FR 68610, November 18, 2014. Final rule to revise the at-sea scales program for catcher/processor vessels and motherships that are required to weigh catch at sea. Effective December 18, 2014.

79 FR 44372, July 31, 2014. Proposed rule to revise the at-sea scales program for catcher/processor vessels and mother ships that are required to weigh at sea.

Pacific Cod Freezer Longline Monitoring

NMFS has modified equipment and operational requirements for freezer longliners named on LLPs endorsed to catch and process Pacific cod at sea with hook-and-line gear in the BSAI. Vessel owners are required to select between two monitoring options: carry two observers or carry one observer and use a motion-compensated scale to weigh Pacific cod before it is processed. The selected monitoring option is required to be used when the vessel is operating in either the BSAI or GOA groundfish fisheries when directed fishing for Pacific cod is open in the BSAI, or while the vessel is fishing for groundfish under the CDQ Program. A vessel owner who notifies NMFS that the vessel will not be used to conduct directed fishing for Pacific cod in the BSAI or to conduct groundfish CDQ fishing during the year will not be required to follow the new monitoring requirements and will follow the current observer and reporting requirements.

Program Information

77 FR 63719, October 17, 2012. Correction to 77 FR 59053 published on September 26, 2012, modifying equipment and operational requirements for freezer longliners. Effective October 17, 2012, and applicable October 26, 2012.

77 FR 59053, September 26, 2012. Regulations that modify equipment and operational requirements for freezer longliners named on License Limitation Program licenses endorsed to catch and process Pacific cod at sea with hook-and-line gear in the BSAI. Effective October 26, 2012.

Observer Sample Station and Bin Monitoring Inspection

Catcher processors participating in the GOA Rockfish Pilot program as part of a cooperative or in the limited access fishery must complete both the observer sampling station and bin monitoring inspection request forms. Vessels participating in the Opt-out fishery of the Rockfish Pilot Program must only complete the bin monitoring inspection request. Regulations regarding Bin Monitoring requirements can be found at 50 CFR 679.84 (c) and (d). Vessels participating in other groundfish fisheries requiring a sample station must complete the observer sampling station inspection form. An inspection request should be submitted at least 10 work days before the requested inspection date.

Crab Monitoring Plans

A Register Crab Receiver (RCR) must submit a Crab Monitoring Plan (CMP) for approval by NMFS. The CMP must be approved before receiving any Crab Rationalization crab deliveries. An inspection of the processing facility must be requested 10 working days before the requested inspection date. CMPs will be approved for one year. An owner or manager must notify NMFS in writing if changes are made in plant operations or layout. Regulations regarding the CMP performance standards can be found at 50
CFR 680.23(g).

Catch Monitoring and Control Plans

A processor taking deliveries from vessels engaged in directed fishing for Pollock in the BSAI Management area and the Central GOA Rockfish program must operate under an approved Catch Monitoring and Control Plan (CMCP). A CMCP must be submitted to NMFS for approval prior to receiving any BSAI Pollock deliveries. An inspection of the processing facility must be requested 10 working days before the requested inspection date. CMCPs will be approved for one year. Regulations regarding the CMCP performance standards can be found in 50 CFR 679.28(g).

Scales Approved for Use At-Sea

Before a Scale Inspection can take place, the model of scale must be included on a list of scales approved for weighing catch at sea. The following types and models of scale have been approved by NMFS.